On January, 12, 2026, a 3-hour training module was delivered by Alberto Mannu at Primo Levi secondary school of Milan to introduce participants to the valorization and recycling of end-of-life lithium batteries, a topic of growing scientific, technological, and environmental relevance. The CARAMEL technology was introduced.
The session presented key concepts related to the lithium-battery value chain, with a specific focus on the recovery of strategic materials. The course also addressed end-of-life treatment processes, black mass production, and the main techniques used for the extraction and recovery of valuable and critical metals.
The course aimed to provide an introductory yet comprehensive overview of the lithium-battery life cycle, highlighting challenges linked to critical raw materials availability and end-of-life management. Particular attention was given to the recovery of critical components (e.g., cobalt, manganese, lithium, and other metals) and to the geopolitical implications connected to resource distribution and supply chains. By the end of the activity, students gained basic knowledge on:
- strategic and critical elements and an overview of battery production for electronics and electric vehicles;
- end-of-life battery treatment and black mass generation;
- methods for extracting critical materials from black mass.
